asilo
/aˈzi.lo/masculine
The Italian word for asylum is asilo.
In a legal or humanitarian context, asilo refers to a place of safety. When specifically referring to the legal concept of asylum for refugees, it is almost always used in the phrase asilo politico.
Meaning: place of safety (noun)
Which one should you use?
While asilo can mean a place of safety, in common daily usage, it most frequently refers to a nursery school or kindergarten.
How does it change in a sentence?
asilo is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /aˈzi.lo/. It has three syllables, and the stress is on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- While asilo is the term for a shelter or nursery, Italians use manicomio to refer specifically to a psychiatric asylum. Using asilo in this context would be misunderstood as referring to a school.
- The English word 'asylum' and the Italian asilo share the same Ancient Greek root, ἄσυλον, which means 'inviolable' or 'not a prey'.
- In a historical context, the concept of asilo was often linked to the sanctuary of a church, where a criminal could find safety from secular law.
Examples in context
- Tom ha richiesto asilo.Tom has requested asylum.This sentence shows how to say someone has requested asylum using asilo.Tatoeba #5617849 by Guybrush88, translation #2644914 by CK
- Io voglio asilo politico.I want political asylum.This sentence is useful for expressing the desire for political asylum using asilo.Tatoeba #3925769 by Guybrush88, translation #3826503 by CK
- Ho richiesto asilo politico.I've requested political asylum.This sentence demonstrates how to state that you have requested political asylum using asilo.Tatoeba #6688482 by Guybrush88, translation #3826505 by CK
- Richiesta di asiloAsylum request
- Centro di accoglienza per richiedenti asiloReception center for asylum seekers
- Cercare rifugioTo seek refuge
- Offrire rifugioTo offer asylum
- Chiedere l'asilo politicoTo ask for political asylum
- Dare l'asilo politicoTo grant political asylum
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco and Sofia are discussing a refugee's situation.
- FrancescoLui ha finalmente trovato un asilo sicuro.He has finally found a safe asylum.
- SofiaÈ un sollievo sapere che è al sicuro.It is a relief to know that he is safe.
- FrancescoSì, quell'asilo lo protegge da ogni pericolo.Yes, that asylum protects him from every danger.
- SofiaSpero che possa restare lì a lungo.I hope he can stay there for a long time.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “asylum” translations and entries asilo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries asilo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
